Presenting a
Carnival parade in Bogalusa and Washington Parish, Louisiana, was initially the
idea of two local businessmen who hoped that a parade through downtown Bogalusa
would help to revive the faltering business district.In a period of less than one
month, a krewe of 80 men was recruited, six primitive Carnival floats were
rented, three local area high school bands were signed, and the first Washington
Parish Carnival parade in history was presented in February, 1981.

To
enlarge, and make the parade more spectacular, the community was invited to
participate, and the krewe members’ floats were followed by decorated trucks,
cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.

Today’s MCCA parade bears little resemblance to the original procession, but it
definitely mushroomed from the original concept.The MCCA parade now includes
38 authentic Carnival floats pulled by tractors, with nearly 20 high school
marching bands, and is introduced by a column of more than 100 roaring
motorcycles.Today’s parade is considered
the largest Carnival celebration held in any city of 13,000 people in the world!